Get to know your colleagues by talking to them both at informal occasions and formal gatherings. For example, initiate a conversation just before or after a meeting, in the mailroom or at a social gathering. Faculty members interested in developing mentoring relationships should be responsive to any offers of assistance and open to taking the initiative in forming mentoring relationships. A successful protégé will be cordial and respectful for mentors’ time, and willing to take advantage of opportunities offered by a mentor. To expand access to a variety of perspectives and an array of areas of expertise consider forming a mentoring “team” or becoming part of a faculty development group. To make the most of a mentoring relationship:

• maintain contact with mentors
• keep mentors apprised of academic progress
• ask for help and raise concerns
• listen to and seriously consider mentors' advice

• exchange ideas and experiences with mentors

The Faculty Networking System  is a database of faculty research, teaching and other scholarly interests that allows faculty to search for others with similar interests and to enter a profile so that others may search for them.  This tool will be helpful to find a mentor, find a collaborator or team-teacher, or build a network of colleagues.